The purpose of this phase of our Model Congress is to help you understand the process members of the U.S. Congress follow when drafting legislation. An emphasis will be placed on proposing innovative solutions to national issues.
Step 1: Brainstorming Possible Topics Sit with members of your political party. Then brainstorm some answers to the following questions:
These are our guidelines for drafting legislation: 1.) Identify a NATIONAL issue: adding a bridge to a city in your state or district may not get the support of your colleagues in Congress. 2.) Research your legislation: what’s the background of your issue? How do Republicans approach this issue? How do Democrats approach this issue? Are you suggesting legislation that already exists? 3.) Remember the Constitution: you cannot pass a law that conflicts with the Constitution. 4.) Measure the cost of your legislation: To draft a bill which meet these guidelines, you need to do some research. Using the available resources (and there are LOTS and LOTS of available resources), you will answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Remember to keep track of all your sources and to paraphrase---NO COPYING and PASTING—any and all information. ----
Section 1: Background 1.) What is the history of your issue?
2.) When did this issue gain national attention?
3.) Have there been current events which are affecting this issue?
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Section 2: Political Party Research In drafting your legislation, it’s important to consider political ideology. If you are a Republican in our Model Congress, your goal is to draft a bill that is consistent with the Republican Party platform and ideology. You also need to know something about your opposition.
1.) How does the Republican Party stand on your issue?
2.) How does the Democratic Party stand on your issue? ----
Section 3: Current Legislation
1.) Use the THOMAS web site or OpenCongress to identify two recent bills on your issue. For each bill record the title, the sponsors, and the purpose of the bill.
Bill 1:
Bill 2: ----
Section 4: The Constitution
1.) Are there Supreme Court cases which relate to your issue? If so, record the case, the constitutional question, and the Supreme Court’s decision. ----
Section 5: Current Programs & Other Proposals 1.) What is the federal government currently doing to address your issue? Take a look at the appropriate Cabinet department to find out about existing programs/policies.
2.) Locate at least ONE interest group concerned with your issue.
Part I: The Research Phase
The purpose of this phase of our Model Congress is to help you understand the process members of the U.S. Congress follow when drafting legislation. An emphasis will be placed on proposing innovative solutions to national issues.Step 1: Brainstorming Possible Topics
Sit with members of your political party. Then brainstorm some answers to the following questions:
Step 2: Researching
Download the Research Guide here.
These are our guidelines for drafting legislation:
1.) Identify a NATIONAL issue: adding a bridge to a city in your state or district may not get the support of your colleagues in Congress.
2.) Research your legislation: what’s the background of your issue? How do Republicans approach this issue? How do Democrats approach this issue? Are you suggesting legislation that already exists?
3.) Remember the Constitution: you cannot pass a law that conflicts with the Constitution.
4.) Measure the cost of your legislation:
To draft a bill which meet these guidelines, you need to do some research. Using the available resources (and there are LOTS and LOTS of available resources), you will answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Remember to keep track of all your sources and to paraphrase---NO COPYING and PASTING—any and all information.
----
Section 1: Background
1.) What is the history of your issue?
2.) When did this issue gain national attention?
3.) Have there been current events which are affecting this issue?
----
Section 2: Political Party Research
In drafting your legislation, it’s important to consider political ideology. If you are a Republican in our Model Congress, your goal is to draft a bill that is consistent with the Republican Party platform and ideology. You also need to know something about your opposition.
1.) How does the Republican Party stand on your issue?
2.) How does the Democratic Party stand on your issue?
----
Section 3: Current Legislation
1.) Use the THOMAS web site or OpenCongress to identify two recent bills on your issue. For each bill record the title, the sponsors, and the purpose of the bill.
Bill 1:
Bill 2:
----
Section 4: The Constitution
1.) Are there Supreme Court cases which relate to your issue? If so, record the case, the constitutional question, and the Supreme Court’s decision.
----
Section 5: Current Programs & Other Proposals
1.) What is the federal government currently doing to address your issue? Take a look at the appropriate Cabinet department to find out about existing programs/policies.
2.) Locate at least ONE interest group concerned with your issue.